CREATE CUSTOM RASH GUARD SHIRTS USING CRICUT’S NEW SPORTFLEX IRON-ON

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. Contains affiliate links.

Have you heard of the new SportFlex Iron-On material that Cricut just launched???? You guys it is soooo amazing! I am absolutely blown away at how great this new product is. The SportFlex Iron-On is created for use on nylon and polyester materials. Features the Cricut StrongBond™ Guarantee* ensuring you get a long lasting product!! It’s thin, flexible and very stretchy. In the past the stretchy material has been tricky to use the iron on with because it would end up cracking when stretched. This new product is designed to stretch with the material with no cracking!!! I put it to the test and created custom rash guards for my boys. Read on to see my review, how they held up when put to the test and get the FREE PROJECT LINK!!!

Using the Cricut EasyPress you can apply this new SportFlex Iron-On in minutes! Check out this video to see just how quick it is and the amazing stretch it has.

Let’s start with the the cool Spring Break Skull.

In the past I have found that layering Iron-On can get a little tricky. I am going to be sharing a couple tricks you can do to help achieve a great end result. Both of these images can be found in the Cricut Design Space Image Library. Search Skull and Sunglasses to find each one. Add images to your canvas. Start with the Skull and adjust to the size you want on your shirt. Put the sunglasses over and make them as big as you want to look on top of the skull. You will notice that the sunglasses have 2 layers. we only want to keep the layer with the words, but we need to use the background to slice our image and prepare it for layering our iron-on so you can see through it. Select the sunglasses and right click. Ungroup the image and pull the top layer away from the bottom layer like pictured below.

Drag the Background of the sunglasses on top of the Skull and adjust to size.

We are going to slice the image so we can remove the skull that would be behind the sunglasses. To do this select both images. Right click and select slice.

This will be the result of the slice. Remove all the pieces and delete them.

Now your image is ready and you can add the top sunglass image with the words in it, adjust colors and your ready to cut.

2. CUTTING IMAGE

Click make it. When using Iron-On material always make sure to check mirror image. This will insure that your image will be able to read when applied. Choose your material type. Under the Iron-On section, choose SportFlex. Apply the material on the cutting mat, shiny liner side down.

Load mat, and Cut.

3. WEEDING DESIGN.

The skull is very easy to weed (removing negative area from your image). The Sunglasses have a little more to weed. I find it easiest to use the Cricut BrightPad. It allows you to see the fine lines and make them stand out so you can easily weed without ruining your image.

4. APPLICATION.

To apply your SportFlex material, you will want to use the Cricut EasyPress and EasyPress Mat. I have not had a chance to use the new EasyPress mat, but it’s on it’s way. I have heard wonderful things about it and how well it improves the application process. I am so excited to try it and I will share my thoughts as soon as I get it. Using the recommended heat settings for your material, you can see the full chart from Cricut>HERE<, Heat up your EasyPress. The Settings I used according to the chart were,

305°F / 151°C

Pre-heat: 5 sec

Apply: 30 sec (use Teflon sheet or parchment paper barrier)

Post-heat back (leave liner on): 15 sec

Warm Peel

You will start with applying the skull first. Follow the application settings above. I like to use the Cricut Protective sheet when applying my iron on to protect my fabric. Layer your project like so, Shirt, skull, protective mat, and EasyPress.

Once that is done remove while it’s still warm. Now we need to add the sunglasses. I want to point out something very important. Since the Iron-On materials are thinner, you will get lines if you have any overlapping. For example, In the Image below if you were to apply these glasses with the liner straight across like this you would end up with a big line across the skull.

You will want to trim around the glasses and cut down the liner to prevent that like so..

Now you will have very little overlapping since you sliced the image that the glasses will be on top of before we started.

Follow the same steps that you used to apply the skull and apply the sunglasses.

Look how cute that it!!!! I am absolutely dying over how cute this shirt turned out!! I love being able to create and customize anything I want. This new SportFlex Iron-On is just beyond amazing and i will be using it on all my future projects! The application process is so easy thanks to the Cricut EasyPress.

To take this one step further, I put this material to the test. We hit the pool and the SportFlex did not disappoint. It held up and wasn’t affected by the water or chlorine at all!!! I give this product 2 thumbs up! My little guy was happy and lookin cool at the pool.

SHIRT NUMBER 2- BITE ME SHARK RASHGUARD –

This shirt says it all and is perfect for my little boy. He is a free spirit and does what he wants, haha. Both the Shark mouth and the Bite me words are from the Cricut Image Library.

1. DESIGN YOUR IMAGE

In Cricut Design space under images, search shark. Find these 2 images and insert onto canvas. Adjust the shark mouth to the size you want. The Bite ME was already created but I wanted it to fit inside the sharks mouth. I had to slice the image using a square and so i could break the words up and place the ME under the word BITE.

add a square onto the canvas. place it on top of the word ME. Select both the words and the square and right click. Select slice. drag the square away and the drag the ME under the word BITE. Place them inside the shark mouth. You will need to attach the 2 words together one you have them place and sized correctly. this will make sure that you words will be cut exactly like that.

Adjust the colors to what you want and click make it.

2. CUT THE IMAGE.

Make sure to click mirror image so you can read your words the right way. Select the SportFlex material under Iron-On. Load mat with the Shiny, Liner side down. Press the cut button.

3. APPLICATION

There is no layering on this image since the words are inside the empty mouth but just make sure you cut down the liner on the words so it doesn’t touch the shark mouth. You will need to apply the Shark mouth first. Using the Cricut EasyPress, heat to recommended settings >HERE< follow application suggestions. Thats what I used.

305°F / 151°C

Pre-heat: 5 sec

Apply: 30 sec (use Teflon sheet or parchment paper barrier)

Post-heat back (leave liner on): 15 sec

Warm Peel

Repeat the same process for the words.

AWESOME!!!! Love, Love, Love how this turned out!!

Like I mentioned above, we put this to the test and hit the pool and it held up like a champ! incredible product and I highly recommend it 1000%

I hope you all enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them below. If you liked the products and wanted to purchase any you can use these Affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.

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About Me

Hi! I'm Hillary Wright. I am a mom to 3 boys. I love Fashion, Making cakes, Sewing and Throwing Parties! I attended Fashion School through the Fashion Institute at SLCC. Worked at Barrus Photography doing their Photo Editing for 7 Years. I LOVE shopping and Dirty DIet Coke! I attended a class through Carries Cakes 5 yrs ago and have been making cakes ever since. I love to be very detailed in all my work with cakes, parties, and fashion. its the little things that count!!